Research Finds Allergic Children Exposed to Peanuts at Younger Ages

Children from families who have a substantial risk of developing allergies should not be exposed to many different allergens. The younger a child is when they are exposed to peanuts, the greater the chance that they will have an allergic reaction.

Yet, even with this risk, more and more younger children are being exposed to peanuts at younger and younger ages, said researchers. In a recent press release, researchers at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh detailed their findings.

The number children under 4 years old who have food allergies continues to rise within the United States. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, on a national basis, between 6 percent to 8 percent of children under 4 years of age have food allergies.

Food allergies can cause death
Food allergies cause between 100 to 200 deaths every year across America. Over 30,000 people per year experience anaphylaxis as a result of their food allergy. Anaphylaxis shock occurs when someone has a severe allergic reaction. When someone has anaphylaxis shock, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to breath. If it's not treated right away, it can cause death.

Children at high risk should avoid potential allergens
Sound medical advice cautions parents to be careful when giving foods to children who are at high risk of developing allergies. Medical professionals recommend that these children avoid peanut and peanut products until they are at least three years old.

Yet, researchers found that the majority of young children were initially given peanuts or peanut products between 14 and 18 months old. Yet just over 10 years ago, children who were at high risk of developing peanut allergies were not exposed to peanuts until they were between 22 and 24 months old.

Common symptoms of food allergies
Symptoms of food allergies include diarrhea, cramps, hives, vomiting, swelling, eczema, itching, itching in the throat, difficulty breathing or wheezing, low blood pressure, and swelling of lips, mouth, or tongue.

Foods that typically cause allergies
The vast majority of food allergies, 90 percent, are caused by a handful of foods. These foods include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat products.

"The results of our study may suggest that AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) guidelines endorsing the delayed introduction of peanuts until age 3 for children with a strong family history of allergies are not being followed widely in the United States. At the same time, the prevalence of peanut allergy among children has reportedly doubled nationwide over the last decade. This could be due both to a higher rate of peanut allergy and to more public awareness and recognition on the part of the medical community," said Todd Green, MD, an allergist/immunologist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

This study has been published in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics.

Sources:
http://www.chp.edu/pressroom/newsrelease389.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaphylaxis